On Broadway: Blumenthal 2014-15 season includes ‘Newsies,’ ‘Phantom,’ ‘Kinky Boots’

‘Newsies’ comes to the Belk Theater in Charlotte on Nov. 6-11.

Photo by Deen van Meer

By Andrea Honaker

Published: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 04:49 PM.

SEASON TICKETS: 2014-15 season tickets are now on sale at www.blumenthalarts.org or by calling 704-372-1000.

The Broadway lights have shined bright in Charlotte for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s 2013-14 season, and theater-goers can expect no less for the next round of shows. “The Book of Mormon,” “The Lion King,” Matthew Bourne’s “Sleeping Beauty” and “Godspell” were some of the productions that came to town during the second half of 2013, and shows such as “Rock of Ages” and “Once” are coming up. A number of new, revised and classic musicals are slated for the 2014-15 season. Here’s the lineup and what you need to know about each of the shows.

A Night with Janis Joplin– Dec. 2-7, 2014, Knight TheaterPlot: This production is a tribute to the queen of rock and roll and the musicians that inspired her.Memorable songs :“Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Mercedes Benz”

Newsies – Jan. 6-11, 2015, Belk TheaterPlot: This musical is based on the 1992 Disney movie and inspired by the 1899 Newsboys Strike in New York. Newsboy Jack Kelly yearns for a life away from the streets, and gathers his team of newsies to go on strike when Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst increase distribution prices.Memorable songs: “Seize the Day,” “King of New York”

The Phantom of the Opera– Feb. 4-15, 2015, Belk TheaterPlot: An opera ghost tutors a chorus girl and terrorizes the opera house cast and crew. This new version of the musical includes revamped scenic design, choreography and staging.Memorable songs :“Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” “Masquerade”

Joseph an the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat– Feb. 24-March 1, 2015, Belk TheaterPlot: This musical tells the Biblical story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and the coat of many colors.Memorable songs :“Those Canaan Days,” “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door”

SEASON TICKETS: 2014-15 season tickets are now on sale at www.blumenthalarts.org or by calling 704-372-1000.

The Broadway lights have shined bright in Charlotte for the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s 2013-14 season, and theater-goers can expect no less for the next round of shows. “The Book of Mormon,” “The Lion King,” Matthew Bourne’s “Sleeping Beauty” and “Godspell” were some of the productions that came to town during the second half of 2013, and shows such as “Rock of Ages” and “Once” are coming up. A number of new, revised and classic musicals are slated for the 2014-15 season. Here’s the lineup and what you need to know about each of the shows.

A Night with Janis Joplin– Dec. 2-7, 2014, Knight TheaterPlot: This production is a tribute to the queen of rock and roll and the musicians that inspired her.Memorable songs :“Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Mercedes Benz”

Newsies – Jan. 6-11, 2015, Belk TheaterPlot: This musical is based on the 1992 Disney movie and inspired by the 1899 Newsboys Strike in New York. Newsboy Jack Kelly yearns for a life away from the streets, and gathers his team of newsies to go on strike when Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst increase distribution prices.Memorable songs: “Seize the Day,” “King of New York”

The Phantom of the Opera– Feb. 4-15, 2015, Belk TheaterPlot: An opera ghost tutors a chorus girl and terrorizes the opera house cast and crew. This new version of the musical includes revamped scenic design, choreography and staging.Memorable songs :“Music of the Night,” “All I Ask of You,” “Masquerade”

Joseph an the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat– Feb. 24-March 1, 2015, Belk TheaterPlot: This musical tells the Biblical story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and the coat of many colors.Memorable songs :“Those Canaan Days,” “Any Dream Will Do,” “Close Every Door”

Kinky Boots– March 17-22, 2015, Belk TheaterPlot: As Charlie Price attempts to salvage his family’s near-bankrupt shoe factory, an entertainer named Lola proves to be just the person to help him find himself and realize his dreams. The music was written by Cyndi Lauper.Memorable songs: “Step One,” The History of Wrong Guys,” “Sex is in the Heel”

Potted Potter– April 14-19, 2015, McGlohon TheaterPlot: In this parody, Jeff Turner and Dan Clarkson sum up the seven Harry Potter books in 70 minutes, adding plenty of humor and improvisation to the mix.Memorable moments: A Quidditch match with the audience, a new rendition of “I Will Survive,” and ridiculous props and costumes.

Pippin– May 19-24, 2015, Belk TheaterPlot: A young prince seeking adventure and excitement must decide between a life of contentment or illusion. The circus-themed revival of the musical features acrobatic sequences.Memorable songs: “War is a Science,” “Spread a Little Sunshine,” “Corner of the Sky”

Dirty Dancing– June 16-21, 2015, Belk TheaterPlot: This show is based on the hit 1987 movie. Baby and Johnny, two young people from different worlds, find their lives intertwined during a summer away from home.Memorable songs: “Hungry Eyes,” “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” “Do you Love Me?”

Annie– July 14-19, 2015, Belk TheaterPlot: A millionaire befriends an orphan girl named Annie, who still has hopes that her real parents will come back for her. The musical is based on the “Little Orphan Annie” comic book strip by Harold Gray.Famous songs: “Tomorrow,” “Together at Last,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life”

Motown the Musical– Aug. 25-Sept. 6, 2015, Belk TheaterPlot: This musical is about the life of Motown founder Berry Gordy, who launched the careers of icons such as Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Smokey Robinson.Memorable songs: “My Girl,” “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Dancing in the Street”